Page 53 of Run the Play
Chaz gives him a curt nod, then turns back to me and Reid. “This isn’t over.”
“Later, Chazzy boy.” Reid waves.
As soon as he’s out of the room, I lean my weight against the table, relief washing over me.
“Are you okay?” Reid asks. All the playfulness is now gone.
“I’m good. Thank you for that.”
“What did he want?”
“For me to end things with Landry.”
Reid nods. “You know you can’t do that, right? You’ll break his heart.”
“We’re pretending,” I remind him.
“Are you, though?” he asks as the door opens, and Landry comes strolling in.
His hair is still wet from his shower, and his shirt clings to him. It looks as if he barely took the time to towel off. “What’s wrong? Was that asshat in here bothering you?”
“Nothing is wrong,” I say gently. “Yes, Mr. Brown was in here, but so was Reid.”
“Thanks, man,” Landry says, running his fingers through his still-wet hair. “Are you finished up here?”
“I think so. No injuries and no one has come to me for therapy. Let me check in with John, but I’m pretty sure I’m done for the day.”
“Good. Let’s get you clocked out, and we can head to my place.”
“Your place?”
“Yeah. Today was an early game, so everyone’s coming over. I’ll either order food or grill something. We’ll chill, talk about today’s game, and watch some of the others on television.”
“I don’t want to intrude.”
Landry gives me a look that tells me he’s not going to let me get out of this. Not that I want to get out of it. I wanted to make it known he doesn’t have to feel obligated to invite me. I like the idea of being included in going back to his place with everyone to hang out. Maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll get a goodnight kiss.
“I’m going to hit the showers. I want pizza, by the way. I’ll stop and pick it up on my way over,” Reid says.
“I’ll send you some cash,” Landry says, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
“Nah, man, this is on me. I’m pretty sure it’s my turn anyway.” Reid nods at me before climbing off the treatment table and leaving us alone.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Positive. He came in demanding we end things, but he didn’t get to spew his hate because Reid intercepted him.” I smile when I think about Reid’s tactics. “He called him Chazzy boy, and me Rowie. Told Chaz that he and I were besties.” I chuckle. I can’t believe I’m able to laugh about this.
Landry moves toward me, and with each step, his eyes grow more heated. When he’s close enough to reach me, he slides his arm around my waist and presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “Is Reid going to be a problem?”
“What? No, he was just helping me, so I wasn’t alone with Chaz.”
“Figures, not only do I have to worry about your ex, now I have to worry about my friends too,” he says, shaking his head.
“Stop.” I laugh, pushing at his chest. He holds me tight, smiling down at me. “Do you want to leave your car here? We can come back to get it later?”
“No, I’ll just drive to your place.”
“No stops along the way. I don’t want him to follow you and catch you out on your own. I live in a gated community, so he can’t come past the gates.”
